Education achievers and innovators honoured at GESS Education Awards

At ceremonies held during the GESS Dubai and Global Education Forum, organised by F&E Group in working partnership with the UAE Ministry of Education, education professionals and organisations were recognised for their significant contributions in advancing the cause of education, environment, community involvement and innovation.

“We salute all the winners for their dedication towards the development of the education sector in the Middle East. Their contributions have played an important part in continuing professional development of teachers and the future success of students from around the region. May their achievements be a shining example for others to follow,” said Matt Thompson, Project Director, F&E Group, organisers of the GESS Education Awards.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in partnership with Taaleem, was given to Professor JJ Thompson, CBE, for his contributions to the development of the International Baccalaureate programme that has been the key hallmark of world-class education globally.

A Dubai-based educator, Rachael Edgar, was recognised with the Innovation in Education award for founding and spearheading SPARK (Dubai LeadMeet), which organizes peer-to-peer learning opportunities for teachers throughout the UAE.

Meanwhile, Lucy Bruce and Beverly Jatwani (Home Grown Children's Eco Nursery) took home the Ambassador for the Environment award; while Simran Vedvyas, founder of the Synergy youth group and student at the Universal American School in Dubai was presented with the Community Award for Citizenship for her youth mobilization initiatives that affect education, health, environment and social welfare.
The Outstanding Contribution in Education was presented to Pakistan’s Sadaf Taimur of the Silver Oaks Schools & College for establishing many notable international and industry partnerships that support Silver Oaks’ long-term development and growth.

Another accomplished education professional, Chassie Selouane of the Sharjah American International School – Dubai, received the Judges Commendation Award for successfully integrating technology into her daily lessons and enriching her students’ learning experience; while Steve Bambury of the Jumeirah English Speaking School was honoured with the Best use of ICT / eLearning in the Classroom award.

The prestigious GESS Education Awards also recognised outstanding education-related products and solutions providers that help improve and advance the quality standards in classrooms throughout the Gulf region.  Among the top-notch companies honoured this year include 3P Learning (Multinational Company of the Year), Carfax Education Group (SME Company of the Year), and Diglossia FZ, LLC (Start-Up Company of the Year). Primo Toys received the Product Innovation Award for SMEs, while Promethean won the same recognition for the Multinational category.

The other exemplary suppliers honoured at the GEA include Edmodo (Best Free ICT / App Product), GL Education (Best Paid for ICT / App Product), Pitsco Education (Best Product to Promote Health and Fitness in the Classroom), Rising Stars -  Assessment Progress Tests (Best Resource or Equipment - Non ICT), SchooPedia / Almotahida Education Group (Early Years Resource / Equipment Supplier of the Year), Ta3awon Information System Consultancy (Primary Education Resource / Equipment Supplier of the Year), Crossbow Education Ltd (SEN Resource / Equipment Supplier of the Year), as well as Hohenloher and The Knowledge Hub – Locktronics (Secondary Resource / Equipment Supplier of the Year).